Editor

Lack of service delivery, corruption, inadequate housing and crime – these are some of the challenges President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised government will address in Mangaung Metro, Free State.

He recently led a Presidential Imbizo to find out about the challenges Mangaung residents face daily. The imbizo was part of the District Development Model (DDM), which is being rolled out to improve the quality of life for citizens.

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Government and the eLan Foundation’s Shift Africa have partnered to ensure a multi-billion rand development creates not only employment, but also future opportunities for 100 000 young people.

Gontse Selacoe (23) has turned his knowledge of growing fruit and vegetables into a growing agro-processing company called All Day Jam.

Recently, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced in its preliminary tax revenue collection outcome that it had collected over R1.5 trillion between April 2021 and March 2022.

This a 25% improvement over the previous year and a 15% increase over the last year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the same period, SARS also paid out its highest amount in tax refunds since it was established 25 years ago.

Young and vibrant entrepreneur Paula Maseko (27) is making a name for herself and her successful organic haircare business Buhle Bomqhele, which she launched in October 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the world increasingly moving online, it’s important for children to take advantage these opportunities while also staying safe.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and Digify Africa recently hosted a webinar with Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the Film and Publication Board (FPB) to teach children, educators, parents and the public about how to be responsible online.

Theatre patrons tired of having to watch productions online due to Coronavirus Disease restrictions are in for a treat with live audiences able to attend the 2022 Kucheza Afrika Festival at the South African State Theatre (SAST) from 1 to 10 April.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is looking at alternative and interactive ways to tackle substance abuse among youth.

This is according to SAPS Section Commander for Substance Abuse Programmes Refilwe Matlamela.

Matlamela was speaking at a webinar facilitated by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security Cluster to introduce the roll-out of substance abuse prevention awareness campaign by SAPS, Department of Social Development (DSD), Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) and Government Communication and Information System.

Improved connectivity in underserviced areas will enable better health, education and internet services to communities that need them the most.

Government’s SA Connect project aims to achieve 80% broadband access in communities and government facilities over the next three years.

Queueing pension grant recipients in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, are benefiting from free blood pressure checks. 

In a collaboration between the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, the South African Post Office and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), grant recipients are being screened for hypertension, says SAMRC researcher Jane Simmonds.